East Gainesville cleanup effort kicks off Saturday

By MELANIE MARQUEZSun staff writer

Published: Friday, January 21, 2005 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 20, 2005 at 10:02 p.m.

Volunteers armed with trash bags will invade east Gainesville on Saturday when phase one of Operation Face Lift - a major cleanup effort by community groups and businesses - gets under way.
"Cleanup in phase one will pave the way for nips and tucks in phase two," said Doris Edwards, one of the project's organizers, as she stood on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday with other community leaders collaborating on the cleanup effort.
More than 300 volunteers are expected to meet at the T.B. McPherson Center, 1717 SE 15th St., at 8:15 a.m. to eat breakfast before breaking off into groups that will pick up litter in nine east Gainesville neighborhoods.
The Office of Community Service at the University of Florida helped organize student volunteers and about 150 are expected, said Angela Jones, graduate assistant of the office.
The cleanup is open to the public. Keep Alachua County Beautiful will supply trash bags.
Edwards, a community activist for more than 10 years, expects the improvement of these neighborhoods to add wholesale value, boost economic potential and allow the beauty of the area to thrive.
Phase two will consist of an educational campaign aimed at maintaining a clean environment in east Gainesville and promoting pride and respect among community members. Additional improvements such as painting, landscaping and repairs are planned.
As part of this effort, Edwards encourages residents to dedicate two minutes a day to picking up trash.
The cleanup will end at noon, and members of the Fraternal Order of Police will grill hamburgers and hot dogs to provide a free lunch for the volunteers.

Volunteers armed with trash bags will invade east Gainesville on Saturday when phase one of Operation Face Lift - a major cleanup effort by community groups and businesses - gets under way.<BR>
"Cleanup in phase one will pave the way for nips and tucks in phase two," said Doris Edwards, one of the project's organizers, as she stood on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday with other community leaders collaborating on the cleanup effort.<BR>
More than 300 volunteers are expected to meet at the T.B. McPherson Center, 1717 SE 15th St., at 8:15 a.m. to eat breakfast before breaking off into groups that will pick up litter in nine east Gainesville neighborhoods.<BR>
The Office of Community Service at the University of Florida helped organize student volunteers and about 150 are expected, said Angela Jones, graduate assistant of the office.<BR>
The cleanup is open to the public. Keep Alachua County Beautiful will supply trash bags.<BR>
Edwards, a community activist for more than 10 years, expects the improvement of these neighborhoods to add wholesale value, boost economic potential and allow the beauty of the area to thrive.<BR>
Phase two will consist of an educational campaign aimed at maintaining a clean environment in east Gainesville and promoting pride and respect among community members. Additional improvements such as painting, landscaping and repairs are planned.<BR>
As part of this effort, Edwards encourages residents to dedicate two minutes a day to picking up trash.<BR>
The cleanup will end at noon, and members of the Fraternal Order of Police will grill hamburgers and hot dogs to provide a free lunch for the volunteers.<BR>